Ballast Testing...

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1793

1793

Senior Member
Location
Louisville, Kentucky
Occupation
Inspector
I would like to know if anyone would be so kind as to explain how to test a ballasts output?

I have a customer who has a compact fluorescent (2 lamp, 4 pin) recess that is not lighting. I have replaced the ballast (Advance SmartMarte) with one from another fixture that had been disconnected, and still no light.

How do I check to see what I have at the socket(s)?
 
Norb, basically you did test the ballast, you took one that was known to be working.

I would disconnect the ballast entirely from the bad fixture and do continuity tests on all the socket leads.

Check for

1) Ground faults

2) Line to line faults

3) Broken conductors

A number of times I have found that socket leads had shorted to ground under the socket.
 
iwire said:
Norb, basically you did test the ballast, you took one that was known to be working.
Click to expand...

I do not know for sure the one I used to replace the original really was working before, I did not see it on.

These ballasts are stab-in and I had to release the old wires so I'm not sure I'm getting good contact.

Needless to say I have not tried to test a Fluorescent fixture before, I am not sure which two of four socket slots to test together.

stickboy1375 said:
Check the lamp sockets, they are terrible connections, I check every new fixture I install... can't tell you the number of loose wires on them....
Click to expand...
These sockets are riveted in place. I can't see how to get to the connections.
 
I just use my hot stick,should flash at the pins on lamp.Never assume the one your using as replacement is any good.Had it happen 2 weeks ago on a friday at 3pm.Customer said the new light was not working,hmmm it did on hot check.Replaced with ballast out of new fixture,still not working.You need to check wiring and voltage input.You can get a bad batch.
 
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